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ORATION 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



Inhabitants of V/eston, 



AT THE 



TOWN Hall, July 4, 1876, 



Charles H. Fiske. 



WESTON: 
Printed by vote of the Towns-People. 

M D C C C L X X V I . 



ORATION 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



Inhabitants of \AAeston, 



'vu* 



AT THE 



TOWN Hall, July 4, 1876, 



Charles H. Fiske. 




WESTON: 

Printed by vote of the Towns-People. 
mdccclxxvi. 



F7-f 



Press of Gribben cS: Co., S8 Federal Street, Boston. 



JULY 4, 1876, 



Celebration at Weston. 



At a meeting of the Citizens of "Weston, June 17, 187G, it 
was voted to celebrate the One Hundredth Anniversary of the De- 
claration of American Independence. 

Edwin IIobbs, Edward Cor.uuN and Hexky L. Brown were 
appointed a Committee of Arrangements. 



The exercises of the day were held in Town Hall, which was 
appropriately decorated for the occasion. A large audience was 
present. Edwin Hobbs presided. 

The order of exercises was as follows : 

INVOCATION Rev. Geohck Sandekson 

MUSIC (the Russian Hymn) Weston Cornet Band 

reading of the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, Rev. Amos Hakkis 

PRAYER, Rev. Chandler Roubins, D. D. 

ORATION Charles II. Fiske 

SINGING, NATIONAL HYMN, "America." 

BENEDICTION Rev. Amos Harris 



After the exercises in the Hall, a procession was formed, under 
the direction of Frank W. Bigelow, Chief Marshal, and moved to 
Mrs. John Lamson's Grove, in the following order : 

Chief Marshal. 

"Weston Cornet Band, 

Officers of the Town. 

Committee of Arrangements. 

Clergymen and Invited Guests. 

Veterans of the War of 1812. 

Citizens of the Town. 

After partaking of a collation in the Grove, the assembly was 
called to order, and eloquent addresses were delivered by Rev. Dr. 
Chandler Bobbins, Alonzo S. Fiske, and Bev. Amos Harris. 

In the evening there was a brilliant display of Fireworks, with 
Music by the "Weston Cornet Band, from their new stand on 
the Common. 

The weather was fine, and the day passed off agreeably. 



O EAT 10^. 



In order to understand aright the events of any par- 
ticular time, and to fully comprehend the meaning and 
force of particular circumstances, it is necessary to go 
back and inquire into the little incidents in the lives of 
the people of the period, and that too, not alone of the 
Princes and Kulers, but of the average man and woman. 
It is very often the smallest circumstances and the gene- 
ral every-day life which foster the growth and strength 
of character; and the greatest results in the history of 
the world, owe their existence to the humblest begin- 
nings. The small spring of bubbling water trickles 
into the brook, then, with increasing strength, flows 
into the stream and river, and there turns the great 
water wheels and machinery of the world. It is diffi- 
cult to get satisfaction in our search for the remote 
causes, especially as the means for recording ideas and 
events were so limited, in the absence of a proper knowl- 
edge of the art of printing, the recent growth of which 
has had such a powerful effect upon the world. Tra- 
ditions handed down from father to son, from one gene- 
ration to another, and growing dimmer and fainter 
with each downward step, are frequently our only 
guide and light. 



It is to learn and understand the unrecorded history 
of the world that has caused so many lifetimes of study 
and toil, and often with fruitless and barren results. 
The more widely the printing press is used the easier 
will be the future historian's task, for the items 
and facts of every-day life will be the more carefully 
preserved, together with the comments and criticisms 
on them, which will show the true character of the age. 

Something of the olden time has been preserved in 
the scattered speeches and discourses of certain promi- 
nent persons ; to a great extent, however, the pam- 
phlets containing them have not been carefully kept, 
but stowed away in neglected places, and when they 
have been sought after, with the greatest eagerness, it 
is discovered that most of them have found their way 
into the waste basket and the fire. A great many 
valuable papers and documents have been destroyed, 
even within the last generation, causing an almost in- 
calculable loss to posterity. It is therefore extremely 
important to collect and transcribe, in bound parchment, 
all information of the character and customs of the 
people of the past time ; and for this purpose, before 
it is too late, to glean all the facts we possibly can from 
the old persons now among us, who have heard from 
their fathers and grandfathers so many interesting items 
of the last century. 

To get at New England character, which is so potent 
in its influence upon the thoughts and lives of the peo- 
ple of this country, it is necessary to go back to the 
early settlement of New England, and see under what 
circumstances our forefathers came and settled here ; 
what their motives and habits of life were, what labors 
and struggles they underwent, and what courage they 



evinced to carry out their ideas of right and duty. And 
to get at the true history of our country we must go 
back to the same source ; for the country is only one 
united cluster of municipalities and towns, all of which 
were modelled and molded after the fashion of the New 
England towns. New England furnished the forms 
and patterns for the other sections of the country to 
imitate in laying their foundations of government. The 
New England town meeting was something by itself 
and alone. It originated here, almost at our wvn doors, 
and after having been tried and proved, found its way 
into the other settlements ; and it is not too much to 
say, formed the political framework of our country. 

You can therefore understand the importance of the 
suggestion of the President a short time ago, that the 
several towns should have their early history written 
and preserved ; and on what more fitting occasion coidd 
the task of reading that history be performed than on 
this, the Centennial Anniversary of our Independence ; 
when we have completed the golden circle, and, before 
starting on a fresh voyage, we stop for a moment for 
rest and refreshment, sit down quietly, and reflect upon 
the past and present, perhaps with some misgivings, 
and with our faith, in the future prosperity and welfare 
of our country, just a little shaken. If our way now 
seems dark and uncertain, perhaps we may profit by 
the experience of the i)ast, and start out on our course 
with fresh vigor and with new ideas of life's duties and 
trials. With these thoughts, and with the hope of in- 
creasing our respect and reverence for the olden time, 
I have written, with the limited time at my disposal, a 
short, though incomplete description of our good old 
town of Weston. I call it good, for here there is health, 



contentment, and happiness, to a remarkable degree ; 
and old, as it Avas incorporated in the early part of the 
eighteenth century, prior to this forming a part of one 
of the oldest towns of the Massachusetts Colony. We 
have reason to be proud of its history, not only from its 
connection with the prominent events of our State and 
Country, but also on account of the wisdom and dis- 
cretion of the inhabitants in the management of its in- 
ternal affairs. 

The town of Weston lies about thirteen miles west 
of Boston, on the eastern side of the range of hills in 
Massachusetts which slope toward and to the sea, 
measuring about five miles north and south, and four 
east and west, and containing almost 11,000 acres. It 
was formerly a part of Watertown, which was made up 
of the present Watertown, Waltham, Weston, and a 
part of Lincoln. 

I shall not say much about the settlement of Water- 
town, for this has been so well described by Dr. Henry 
Bond in his history of the town, and many interesting 
and valuable facts about it are to be found in the Cen- 
tennial Sermon preached here by Rev. Dr. Samuel Ken- 
dall, January 12, 1813 ; and also in the address delivered 
by the late Rev. Dr. Edmund H. Sears at the celebration 
of the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement, of Rev. 
Dr. Joseph Field, February 1, 1865. 

As many of you know, Watertown was settled by 
Sir Richard Saltonstall, Rev. George Phillips and others, 
there being forty families, at the least calculation, who 
in the year 1630 set out from Salem to find a more pro- 
pitious place of settlement, in their journey stopping a 
few days at Charlestown, and finally deciding upon the 
land on the north bank of the Charles River, which was 



named Watertown, on acconnt of its water privileges. 
It was of the utmost importance to have the imme- 
diate settlement on the banks of a river ; for the only 
easy communication with the other settlements was by 
boats and rafts, the journey through the wilderness be- 
ing rough, uncertain and dangerous. 

The town founded here soon increased in numbers, 
and in a short time ranked in this respect next to 
Boston ; holding this relative position for the space of 
fifteen or twenty years. 

This part (that is, what was afterwards Weston) 
was called the Watertown Farms, sometimes the 
Farmers' Precinct, or the Western Precinct, and some- 
times the Precinct of Lieut. Jones' Company. Waltham 
was the Middle Precinct until after the incorporation of 
Weston, when it was generally known as the Western 
Precinct ; and was not set off as a separate town till 
January 4, 1737. 

An early writer, in describing the people of Massa- 
chusetts Bay, says : " Some of them merchants are 
damnable rich." I think that this remark was not 
intended for the people of Watertown, for the Charles 
River being shallow and not easily navigable for large 
vessels, did not afford the proper advantages for a strictly 
mercantile community ; and therefore the inhabitants 
became, to a great extent, farmers, who, as a class, 
very seldom require the use of so strong an adjective to 
express their wealth : and what shows their early posi- 
tion more than anything else is the recorded refusal of 
the town (1631-2) to pay a tax of eight pounds im- 
posed by the Colony, giving as a reason that " it was 
not, in their opinion, safe to pay moneys after that sort, 
for fear of bringing themselves and theii* posterity into 
bondage." 



10 

The institution and growth of the towns was closely 
connected with that of the Church ; for this last was 
always the nucleus around which the people gathered, 
and the bond which held them together. The settlements 
were generally made as soon as there were sufficient 
persons willing to unite with each other, and able to 
support a minister, whereupon a tract of land was 
granted to them, and they were empowered to establish 
a Plantation and a Church. 

On the settlement of Watertown the inhabitants, 
with Rev. George Phillips at their head, and as their 
pastor, established a church, at the same time drafting 
and signing a Church Covenant, which was considered 
at the time very liberal, more so than any other in the 
Colony ; but to which I am afraid we might not be wil- 
ling to subscribe. 

The meeting-house stood at the extreme eastern part 
of the town, near the old Burying ground, over a mile 
east from the centre of the present Watertown. To 
this place the poor farmers had to travel every Sunday, 
through sunshine or rain, staying there to both the fore- 
noon and afternoon services, and not reaching home till 
toward evening. We must remember what poor means 
of transportation they had at that time, with probably 
not much more than rough cart paths for roads, running 
through the forest and wilderness. Besides this the 
people were much scattered, for as there were many 
little separate brooks and springs in the town, and as it 
was necessary to live where they could easily get water 
for themselves and cattle, they were tempted to settle 
at distances from each other. It was, however, about 
their only opportunity of meeting their fellow towns- 
men, and no doubt was looked forward to with a great 
deal of interest. 



11 

In those days church-going was not only a moral 
but a legal duty ; staying away from church without 
good cause shown being an offence punishable by fine, 
confinement in the stocks, or imprisonment. 

In selecting this place to make their settlement we 
very naturally applaud the taste and good judgment of 
our ancestors, but it did not please every one, as will be 
seen in the short description written by Captain Edward 
Johnson in 1(351. He was an historian who came over 
with Gov. Winthrop, and finally settled in Woburn, 
being foremost in the affairs of the church there. 

Of Watertown he says: "The Seventh Church of 
Christ, gathered out of this wandering race of Jacobites, 
was at Watertown, situated upon one of the branches 
of Charles Iliver, a fruiti'ul plat and of large extent, 
watered with many pleasant springs and small rivulets, 
running like veins throughout her body, which had 
caused her inhabitants to scatter in such manner that 
their Sabbath assembleys prove very thin if the season 
favor not; and has made this great Towne, consisting 
of one hundred and sixtv families, to show nothin<r 
delightful to the eye in any place." 

The Town must have been very orderly and well be- 
haved, as it was twice fined for not having provided a 
pair of stocks ; this probably because they had no use 
for such things. 

There was no Indian settlement within the Western 
Precinct, but our countrv here was used as huntinir 
grounds for the Indians, who had their settlement higher 
up on the banks of the Charles Iliver probably, whose 
Indian name was " Quinobequin." They undoubtedly 
roamed over our hills in pursuit of the birds and beasts, 
but had their head-quarters on the banks of the river, 



12 



which they could use for easy transportation and for 
fishing. Yet our history is connected with the Indians ; 
for it is said that at the time of the attack upon Sud- 
bury in 1676, and to carry out their threat to burn 
Watertown as well as the other settlements, they 
penetrated the western part of our town and burnt a 
barn, standing on the farm now owned and occupied 
by Mr. Nahum Smith, on the back road, leading to 
Wayland, but it is not known that any one was killed. 

At this time (1676), Captain Hugh Mason, the train 
band Captain of Watertown, marched with his men to 
the relief of the people of Sudbury, and helped to 
protect them and drive back the Indians. Some of the 
inhabitants of the Farmers' Precinct were probably with 
Captain Mason, and engaged in the Sudbury fight. 

There was a warrant issued to the militia of Water- 
town, December, 1675 (a few months before the attack 
on Sudbury), for impressing "twenty soldiers, with pro- 
visions, arms, amunition, and good clothing," for the 
defence of the Colony. Captain Mason made his 
return thereto, and his list of names is as follows: 



Names of those wear preat. 

Danill Warren, Sr. 
John Biguliili, Sr. 
Natlianill Hely, 
Jo<t'pli 'I'ayntor, Jr. 
Jolin Whettny, Sr. 
George Hcrrington, 
James Cutting, 
Willyam Hagar, Junior. 
.Tolni Parkhust, 
Micliael Ftlegg, 
Jacob Bullard, 
Isaack Learned, 
Joseph Waight, 
(Jeorge Dill, 
Jonathan Smith, 
Willyam I'rior, Jr. 
Nathanell Sangar, 
Moyses Whettny, 
Knoch Sawtell, 
John Bright, 
John Hastings, 
John IJacon, 
John Charlvvick, 
John Windam, 
Ben. Douse, 
Math. Barsham, 
Jolin Barnard, 
Eaphrim Geartiild, 
Joseph Smith. 



Those that did not appeare att the 
place appoymd. 

Joseph Tavntor, 
Willyam Hagar, 
George Dill, 
Natlianell Sangar, 
Enoch Sawtell, 
John Bacon, 
Eaphrim Gearffild. 



These ffolloning arc ration! v n 
fill to goe upon the sei vis. 

Danill Warren, Sr. 
John Bigulah, Sr. 
Nathanell Hely, 
Joseph Tavntor. 
Jolin Whettny, Sr. 
George Herrington, 
Willyam Hagar, Jr. 
.Jolin Parkhust, 
Michael Ftlegg, 
Jacob Bullard, 
Isaack I>earned, 
•Toseph Waight, 
George Dill, 
Willyam Prior, 
Nathanell Sangar, 
Sloyses Whettny, 
John Wiiulam, 
Math. Barsluim. 
Joseph Smith, 
John Barnard. 



HUGH MASON, Watertowne. 



[Mass. Archives, vol. 68, page 74, December, 1675.] 



13 

Some of those who lived in the Farmers Precinct 
are inchided in the above list, whose names, as nearly 
as can ascertain, are as follows : 

John Parkhurst, John Whcttny Jr. Nathnncll llely, 

Michael Fflepg, (Flagg.) (iecrge llcrrington, John liigulah, (Bigclow.) 

Jacob JJullard. 

These men probably went with Captain Mason and 
did good service at Sudbnry. 

Jacob Fulham, of Weston, (son of Squire Francis 
Fulham), joined the expedition commanded by Captain 
Lovewell against the "Pequawket tribe" of Indians, Feb- 
uary, 1725, with the rank of Sergeant. This tribe, with 
Pangus at their head, had its home in the White 
Mountains, on the Saco River, New Hampshire, and 
was very troublesome, keeping the exposed settlements 
in constant alarm and excitement; so much so that a 
bounty of £100 was offered by the Colony for every 
Indian's scalp. This expedition was undertaken to 
capture or destroy these Indians, and get the large 
bounty offered. 

Captain Lovewell had under his command about 
forty men, volunteers for this special undertaking. The 
result proved very disastrous ; as they were led into an 
ambush, furiously assaulted, and the greater part of 
them killed, including Captain Lovewell and Sergeant 
Fulham. They fought long and well however, and 
inflicted much damage on the Indians, whose loss in 
killed and wounded was large: among the number of 
those killed was their brave chief, Paugus. This battle 
occured May 8, 1725, at the place known by the Indian 
name of " Pigwacket,'' but now called Fryeburg. 

Just when the Farmers Precinct was first settled it 
is difficult to learn; it must, however, have been soon 
after the landing on the banks of the Charles River. 



14 

Captain Johnson's account of the Town would seem to 
imply that it was settled when he wrote, (1651). It is 
known that there were houses here about the year 1670, 
and probably it was long before this when the first 
house was built. 

The oldest grave stone in our Burying ground is 
that of Ensign John Warren, who died July 11, 1703, 
aged 38 years. The earlier burials were some of them 
probably made on the farms where the persons lived, or 
in the old Burying ground at Watertown, possibly in 
our own, their places never having been marked by 
stones, or the grave stones having crumbled and been 
destroyed through lapse of time. 

As the Western and Middle Precincts of Watertown 
became more inhabited, the people living there began 
to object to going so far to Church, and a strong effort 
was made to have the building removed to a more con- 
venient place, nearer the middle of the Town, which 
caused a good deal of feeling in the Church. 

In 1694 the inhabitants of the Farmers Precinct, 
to the number of one hundred and eighteen, protested 
at being obliged to go so far from home to Church. 
There was a compromise made, and January 9, 1695, 
these men agreed to build for themselves what was 
called the Farmers Meeting House, a building thirty 
feet square, which was erected a little to the west of 
our present flag pole. February, 1697, these Farmers 
were exempted from ministerial rates in the Town, 
probably because their Meeting House was so far along 
that they could and did use it for Sunday services. It 
was not, however, entirely completed till about the year 
1709 ; almost fifteen years having been consumed in its 
building. 



1.5 

The people of this Precinct being rather slow in 
agreeing upon a minister, in 1706 were presented at 
the Court of Sessions for not having a settled minister. 
This hastened their deliberations, and after two or three 
ineffectual attempts to correct their fault, they called and 
settled Rev. William Williams, November 2, 1709. 

Mr. Williams' Church started with eighteen mem- 
bers, whose names are as follows: 

Nath'l Coohdge, Thomas Fk'gg, Joseph Lovcll, 

John I'arkhurst, John Livoiiiiorp, Francis Fulhuni, 

Abel Allen, Ebenozcr Allen, Francis Pierce, 

Josiah Jones, Thomas Weight, Josej)!! Allen, 

Josiah Jones, Jr. .Joseph Livermore, Joseph Allen, Jr. 

Samuel Seaverns, ' Josei)h AVoolson, (Jeorge IJobinson, 8r. 

Out of this number Captain Josiah Jones and John 
Parkhurst were chosen the first deacons, the latter 
probably the person whose name appears in Captain 
Hugh Mason's list of soldiers. 

The Farmers Precinct now had a Meeting House of 
its own, and could and did support a minister; where- 
upon the interest and concern of its inhabitants in the 
affairs of the other parts of the Town began to lessen, 
and an effort was soon made to have it set off and 
become a distinct Town. Not long after this a Com- 
mittee, consisting of Francis Fulham, Josiah Jones, and 
Uaniel Eastabrook, after conferring with the other 
parts of the Town, and agreeing upon proper terms of 
separation, petitioned the Court that this Precinct miglit 
be a distinct Township, which was granted January ] , 
1712-13, and with this date begins the separate history 
of Weston. 

April 26, 1746, a large tract of land from our town 
was set off, together with parts of Concord and Lexing- 
ton, and made a separate Precinct, which became the 
town of Lincoln, the date of whose incorporation is April 



16 

19, 1754. With this exception, Weston has remained 
substantially unchanged in area. 

October 23, 1721, the town of Weston voted to erect 
a new Meeting House, which was placed a little back 
of the first one; and continued to be used till 1840, 
when it was pulled down and the present Unitarian 
house erected still farther back and across the county 
road, which intersects our Common. 

Mr. Williams' ministry extended over a period of 
about forty one years, until October 24, 1750, when he 
was dismissed by a mutual council. He still continued 
to live in town, died here March 6, 1760, aged 72 
years, and lies in our old Burying ground. 

There is on record a vote of the Town, March 3, 
1755, excusing "Mr. Wm. Williams from paying rates, 
to be made so long as he remains in the town of 
Weston, provided he discharge said town in full of all 
demands upon said town of any arrears upon the 
account of the deficiency of their grants to him, or get- 
ting his fire wood, &c., while said Williams was in the 
work of the ministry in said town." 

Thus you see that it was almost five years after he 
left the ministry before he got his full salary. This is 
one of the examples, set us by our ancestors, which I 
cannot conscientiously recommend to your respectful 
consideration and observance. 

Mr. Williams accepted this offer, and gave his re- 
ceipt in full, which can be seen on the Town Record 
book. 

It is very interesting for us who live in an age 
which has so little regard for anything of a religious 
character, to observe what respect and reverence was 
had then for religion and the observance of its rites 



17 

and duties : and consequently what powerful influence 
and control the Church exerted over the affairs of every 
day life. 

The old law passed in 1G92-3 required all and 
every person or persons whatsoever on Sunday " to 
carefully apply themselves to duties of religion and 
piety, publickly and privately," upon pain of forfeiting 
five shillings. 

At a meeting of the church at Weston, held April 
27, 1726, it was voted as the general sentiment : that 
" turning ye back towards ye minister to gaze abroad, 
and laying down ye head upon ye arms (in a sleepy 
posture) in ye time of public worship (extraordinary 
cases excepted) are j)ostures, irreverent and indecent, 
and which ought to be reformed, where any are faulty 
therein, and carefully avoided." 

According to the records this Church was called 
upon at different times to investigate the conduct of 
certain of its members in regard to accusations made 
against one or another, for " disguising himself with 
strong drink," " profane speaking and high and wicked 
threatenings " or other misdemeanor more or less grave. 
It generally resulted in the appointment of a Commit- 
tee " to go and discourse " with the offender ; and if 
this was not effective, or if the offence was a more 
serious one, he would, by vote, be " debarred from fur- 
ther Communion till he made Christian satisfaction : " 
when this happy result was obtained, another vote 
would be passed, restoring him to " Charity and Privi- 
leges." 

There is a vote on our Town Records, extending the 
hearty thanks of the inhabitants to Deacon Benj. Brown 
for his generosity in presenting to the Precinct his pew 



18 

on the left side of the pulpit in order to provide one for 
the use of Mr. Woodward, the minister. Probably no 
such public notice would be taken of a like gift at the 
present time. 

The following epitaph on Deacon Thomas Upham's 
gravestone in our oldest Burying-ground is quaint and 
worthy of notice : 

"Here the Clay form (in hope to rise) 
Of Deacon Thomas Upham lies ; 
Sixty-two years measur'd his race 
Thirteen of which the Deacon's place 
With other trusts he did sustain, 
In all of which shone the Christian. 
But God ordains the Wise, the Just, 
Like other Men should mix with dust « 

Ob. October 17th, A.D. 1780." 

Hannah Williams, w^ho was the first wife of our 
pastor. Rev. Mr. Williams, is buried here. The only 
epitaph on her gravestone are the following abbreviated 
word and numbers, placed below the usual inscription 
of names and dates : 

"Ro. 14, 13-" 

But what particular meaning, as applied to her, this 
verse of the Epistle to the Romans had, I have been 
unable to discover. 

Rev. Samnel Woodward succeeded Mr. Williams, 
and was ordained minister over this church Sept. 25, 
1751, which office he held till his death, Oct. 5, 1782. 
He was very much endeared to the people, and died 
greatly lamented. 

Rev. Dr. Samuel Kendal succeeded Mr. Woodward 
(1783). He died in 1811 after thu'ty-one years of 



19 

continuous, diligent, and faithful service in the ministry 
here. Before studying for the ministry, he served as a 
volunteer in the Revolutionary war. He won the respect 
and esteem of all, on account of his strong and determ- 
ined spirit, and his great intellectual force and vigor of 
style. In the controversy then agitating the Church, 
which resulted in the Unitarian movement, so-called, 
Ur. Kendal took strong ground in favor of the liberal 
side of the question. 

Rev. Dr. Joseph Field, settled over this parish Feb. 
1, 181 V was the first distinctly Unitarian minister here. 
His active ministry extended over a period of just fifty 
years, at the end of which time age and increasing infir- 
mity compelled him to relinquish his parish duties. In 
compliance with the urgent wish of his parishioners, 
however, he continued to be then- honored senior pastor 
till his death (November 5, 18G9). He will be long 
remembered by the people, for his happy and cheerful 
spirit, which so often changed sorrow^ into joy, and 
doubt and unrest into Christian faith and peace. 

Rev. Dr. Edmund II. Sears succeeded Dr. Field in 
the ministry of this church. He died in the early part 
of this year (January 16, 18TG), in the midst of his 
labors, honored and beloved by all his tow^nspeople, of 
every sect and name. His life and writings are familiar 
to you all, and the world knows and honors him as one 
of the greatest thinkers and writers of modern times. 
Thus, from the settlement of Mr. Williams, in 1709, to 
the death of Dr. Sears, a period of one hundred and 
sixty-seven years, there have been only five ministers 
settled over this ancient church ; all of whom died here, 
where they so faithfully toiled and lived, and now lie 
buried in our graveyards, almost within a stone's-thi'ow 
of each other. 



20 

October 15, 1768, this church sent £4, 14s. T^d. to 
the sufferers at Montreal ; and December 15, 1781, 
it also sent £13, 9s. to the sufferers of South Carolina 
and Georgia. This shows that the preaching of good 
old Parson Woodward was productive of deeds of 
charity and good will toward men. 

The first attempt at the formation of a choir for 
singing was on May 18, 1772. when the petition of 
Phinehas Upham and others was granted "for liberty 
to a number of singers to sit together in the second, 
third and fourth seats in the men's front gallery." 

Deacon Oliver Hastings was the first Baptist in 
Weston of which there is any record. He was baptized 
in Framingham, in the year 1772; and continued to 
live here in our town, although on account of his reli- 
gious views he was treated with scorn and contempt. 
This was at the time when throughout the Colony the 
Baptists were despised and frequently persecuted. The 
treatment he received served only to increase his zeal ; 
and his pure life and determined purpose soon in- 
fluenced others to join him, till in 1776, just one hund- 
red years ago, there sprang up and continued to be a 
small gathering of Baptists in the south part of the 
town, generally holding their meetings in each others 
houses, and getting whomsoever they could to preach 
for them ; when there was no minister, l)eacon Hast- 
ings would often exhort them. They soon began to feel 
the need of a separate house for public worship ; but 
poor and few as they were they hardly knew how to 
accomplish this end, till a zealous young man, Justin 
Harrington by name, offered to be one of four to put 
up the frame of a building. Soon Samuel Train, Jr., 
James Hastings and Joseph Seaverns, agreed to join 



21 

him; and these four persons, March 29, 1784, contract- 
ed to erect and cover a frame buildmg, thirty one feet 
square; which contract, with help from others, was 
completed, and the unfinished building used for the first 
time October 1, 1784. The building was not finished 
till the year 1788, probably owing to the death of Justin 
Harrington, soon after the completion of his contract. 
In an ecclesiastical council held July 14, 1789, this 
church, comprising sixteen members, was recognized as 
the Baptist Church of Christ in Weston. They had no 
settled minister till January 30, 1811, when Rev. 
Charles Train, who had been supplying this pulpit in 
connection with that of the Baptist Church in Framing- 
ham, was settled over these two Baptist churches, which 
were united and called the Baptist Church of Christ in 
Weston and Framiniiham. This union continued till 
May 3, 1826, when they again became separate and 
distinct bodies, and Mr. Train staid with the Framing- 
ham church. The present Baptist church building was 
dedicated October 8, 1828 ; from which date this church, 
starting with only a small membership, has grown and 
increased in numbers so as to be now tlie lar<j;cst church 
in our town. June 30, 1830, Rev. Timothy Ropes was 
settled, and continued pastor of this church for three 
years, during the latter part of which time the present 
parsonage was built. His several successors in the 
ministry were as follows : 

Rev. Joseph Hodges, Jr., settled in 1835, resigned in 1839. 
Rev. Origen Crane, " 1840, " ISoi. 

Rev. Calvin H. Topliff, " 18;U, " 186G. 

Rev. Luther G. Barrett, " 1867, " 1870. 

Rev. Alonzo F. Benson, " 1870, died July 15, 1874. 

The present Pastor, Rev. Amos Harris, settled Jan. 1, 1875. 



22 

In 1797 a Methodist chapel was erected in the north 
part of Weston, about sixty rods north-east of the pres- 
ent Methodist church on the Lexington road. It was a 
very plain building, without paint or plastering, and 
having neither pulpit nor pews. The circuit to which 
this chapel belonged comprised, besides the town of 
Weston, the towns of Needham, Marlboro', Framing- 
ham, and Hopkinton, the whole, at first, under the 
charge of one preacher. Rev. John L. Hill. The number 
of preachers was afterwards increased to three. The 
Needham church building originally stood within the 
limits of our town, in the south part, on the Boyle farm 
so-called, now owned by Mr. Patrick McMahan. The 
first trustees of the Methodist church of Weston were 
Abraham Bemis, Habbakuk Stearns, Jonas Bemis, John 
Viles, and Daniel Stratton. Their present church 
building was erected in 1828, and dedicated in 1829. 

An act was passed by the General Court, and signed 
by our then Governor, Levi Lincoln, February 28, 1829, 
incorporating the Trustees of the First Methodist Epis- 
copal Society in Weston. In 1833 this church became 
a station, with a regularly appointed preacher ; which 
station originally included the towns of Waltham and 
Lincoln. In 1839, Waltham was detached, and became 
an independent station. This separation reduced the 
number of its church members from one hundred and 
forty-one to about eighty-three ; which has been about 
the number since that time. 

One of the chief men, in the early history of Wes- 
ton, was Francis Fullam, who was one of the committee 
to arrange for the separation from Watertown, and fore- 
most among the petitioners to the Court for the incor- 
poration of our town. He held the office of Justice of 



23 

the Peace, and was known as Major Fullam, or Squire 
Fullam. It was his son Jacob who was killed by the 
Indians under Captain Lovewell. Perhaps you can see 
him, or rather my idea of him, as he walks along the 
road Sunday morning, erect, dignified, and of much im- 
portance ; with an air of determination, which strikes 
terror to the hearts of all Sabbath breakers and other 
evil doers : and afterwards sitting at the foot of his pew 
with his eye always on the minister, as if he feels the 
importance of setting a good example to others. He 
was one of the pillars of the Church as well as of the 
State. 

A very good anecdote is told of him. During Par- 
son Woodward's sermon, one Sunday morning, an old 
colored woman in the gallery, probably rather solid and 
heavy, fell asleep and tumbled off the the bench on 
which she sat, on to the floor ; the old Squii'e, who, by 
the way, was quite deaf the last part of his life, con- 
scious that something unusual had happened, but not 
cpiite knowing what, and feeling a peculiar responsibility 
for the good behaviour of the people at meeting, imme- 
diately jumped up from his seat, and called out, " Stop, 
Reverend Sir." Mr. Woodward, thereupon stopped ; 
and then the old man said, in a loud voice: "If any one 
has discharged a gun in this meeting house, let him be 
brought before me to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock." 
He was at last made to understand the cause of the dis- 
turbance, and he then added : '• If what I thought had 
happened, what I said was right; proceed Revered 
Sir:" whereupon Mr. Woodward resumed his discourse, 
and the service proceeded as usual. 

Squire Fulham's son-in-law, Nathaniel Harris, who 
died May 13, 1761, and is buried in Watertown, has 



24 

the following succinct and expressive epitaph on his 
grave-stone : 

"When his days oa earth did end, 
Wc hope he found the Lord his friend." 

It was a custom, in the early days of our town, to 
provide what was known as the Noon House, to which 
those people who came from a great distance to church 
would repair on Sunday, between the services, and spend 
the time quietly in conversation with each other, while 
eating the bread and cheese which they brought for 
their dinner, and drinking some of the hard cider from 
the barrel, usually furnished by contributors from the 
frequenters of the house. It must have been very social 
and pleasant to meet here every Sunday and discuss the 
various strong points of the morning's sermon, perhaps 
putting in a word or two now and then on every day 
matters, or repeating some gossip about their neighbors. 
Moreover, as there was no means for heating the old 
church, you can see how necessary it was in the cold 
weather to have some place where warmth and refresh- 
ment could be obtained preparatory to the afternoon 
service. The house formerly standing on the site of 
Mrs. John Lamson's present farm-house was for some 
time hired and used as the Noon House ; at another time 
a room in Joel Smith's tavern was used for the purpose. 

The great road running from the Waltham line at 
Stony Brook, through the middle of Weston, by the old 
meeting-house, formed a part of the old stage road from 
Boston to Worcester. For a long time there was more 
travel over this route than over any other leading out of 
Boston. It afforded good occupation and support for 
the many taverns scattered along its line. There were 



25 

four such taverns within our Hmits : one in the middle 
of the town, opposite the old meeting-house, kept by 
Joel Smith (now the residence of Mr. Theodore Jones), 
another near the site of Mrs. Isaac Fiske's house, kept 
by Samuel Baldwin ; another (the present residence of 
Mr. Isaac H. Jones), kept by Captain Josiah Jones, and 
called the "Tavern of the Golden Ball;" and still an- 
other, kept by Captain John Flagg ; the house known 
to most of us as James Jones' tavern (being now owned 
and occupied by Mr. Charles Emerson.) At this last 
tavern the stage lines used to stop for a fresh supply of 
horses and to give the passengers a chance to get some- 
thing to eat. On the establishment of other and more 
direct routes, at a later date, the business of the taverns 
along this line began to fidl off. They received their 
death-blow, however, from the railroads, since the build- 
ing of which this business has ceased to be profitable, 
and the taverns have passed out of existence. 

There have been comparatively few conveyances of 
real estate here, as many of the farms have been re- 
tained in the same family for several generations, pass- 
ing from one to the other by inheritance. 

The house standing on the Deacon Bigelow farm, 
so-called, in the north part of Weston, near Daggett's 
corner, was owned and occupied about the time of the 
Revolutionary War by Samuel Phillips Savage, who is 
said to have been one of the famous party who threw 
over board the tea in Boston Harbor. 

A large part of the farm of Mr. Alonzo S. Fiske, in 
the north part of the town, was conveyed October 1, 
1673, to Lieut. Nathan Fiske, his direct ancestor, in 
whose family it has since then remained. Its present 
owner has inherited, with this estate, the familv charac- 



26 

teristic of constancy, as he has held the office of select- 
man for fifteen, and assessor for twenty-five consecutive 
years, besides many other important town offices at dif- 
ferent times, all with great credit to himself and advan- 
tage to his co'nstituency. 

The houses of Mrs. Samuel Hobbs and Mrs. Nathan 
Hagar, near the Weston Station of the Fitchburg Rail- 
road, have been in possession of the Hobbs family for 
many years ; next to the former stood the old tan-yard, 
at which, business was carried on by members of this 
family for one hundred and twenty-five years. In 1862 
the business was given up, and the old building in the 
yard removed. 

Mr. Woodward, the minister, in 1753 built and there- 
after occupied the house which is now the residence of 
Mrs. A. H. Fiske. 

The house of Mr. Oliver E-. E-obbins, in the south 
part of the town, is supposed to be from one hundred 
and fifty to two hundred years old, and is probably the 
oldest house in Weston. 

There is an old house in the town -still farther south, 
built probably in the year 1787, or earlier, standing 
upon the farm formerly owned by Lieut. -Gov. Moses 
Gill. At his death it passed into the possession of 
Joseph Curtis, of Roxbury, who sold and conveyed it, 
August 27, 1819, to Ward Nicholas Boylston. By his 
last will Mr. Boylston devised the estate to John Quincy 
Adams; and it is now owned by some of Mr. Adams' 
great grandchildren. 

In 1765 Abram Hews started business here as a 
maker of earthen-ware on the site of the house now 
owned by Mrs. Marshall Jones, opposite the present 
blacksmith shop. His descendant for three generations 



27 

have pursued the same occupation at or near this place ; 
within the last few years, however, his great grandson 
has removed the business to Cambridge, wliere it is now 
carried on with diligence and success. 

The town, after its incorporation, went along quietly 
and slowly like every other farming community, pros- 
pering and bettering its condition, but increasing in 
numbers only very gradually. 

There are in a good state of preservation some tax 
lists of our town of the last century very interesting, and 
as matters of history very valuable, and well worth care- 
ful keeping. 

I have taken from them some figures which I will 
give you here, comparing the condition of the town about 
one hundred years ago with that of the present time : — 

1773. 1876. 



Number of 


Polls, 
Slaves, 


218 
16 




379 




Horses, 


142 




372 




Cows, 


535 




742 




Oxen, 


167 




12 




Sheep, 


279 








Swine, 


225 




297 


Value of Personal Estate, 


£2128, 


7s. 


$753,683 


" R( 


3al 

and personal, 


5241, 




875,400 


Total, real 


£7369, 


iS- 


$1,629,083. 



The number of inhabitants now is 1,284. 

" dwelling houses, 240. 

The present size of the town is as follows : 

Number of acres of land taxed, . . 10,497f . 

" " " by actual survey, . 10,732 

" " " in roads, .... 80 

" " " covered with water, 155 

Total acres, . . . 10,967. 



28 

The manufactures of Weston for the year 1875 
amounted to the sum of $51,900, on an invested capital 
of 134,600. 

The domestic and agricultural products for the same 
year amounted to the sum of $228,883. 

The sixteen slaves here in 1773 were owned by the 
following persons : — 

Joseph Harrington, 1. Samuel Phillips Savage, 1. 

Braddyll Smith, 2. Josiah Smith, 2. 

John Flagg, 1. Elisha Jones, 2. 

Jona. Bullard, 1. Joseph Gouldthwait, 2. 

Isaac Harrington, 1. Isaac Jones, 1. 

Josiah Starr, 2. 

We can almost learn the early history of our State 
and country from our town record book; for the 
questions which agitated the State agitated the town, 
and the deliberations on these questions were at the 
town meetings. 

October 25, 1765, the town voted not to give any 
instructions to its representative to act anything con- 
cerning the Stamp Act. By this vote it will be seen 
that the oppressive acts of the mother country began to 
be felt and understood here, but the farmers were slow 
and cautious, not caring to take any hasty step which 
might prove in the end to have been in the wrong direc- 
tion. With such limited means for transmitting and 
circulating the news of the day, it took much longer 
than it does now to arouse the farmers from their peace- 
ful occupations. But in the course of a short time they 
were fully aroused, and found ready to join the other 
colonists in their battle for Independence. 

May 10, 1773, Elisha Jones was elected Represen- 
tative to the General Court, to be held at the Court 
House Boston, May 26, 1773. 



29 

September 29, 1774, it was voted to send Josiah 
Smith and Samuel Phillips Savage to the Provincial 
Congress to be held at Concord October 2, 1774. 

Braddyll Smith represented the town at the Great 
and General Court in the years 1775 and 1776. 

Samuel Hobbs, a farmer, and also a tanner and cur- 
rier by trade, while working as a journeyman in the 
employ of Simeon Pratt, of Roxbury, joined the famous 
party which in disguise threw overboard the tea in Bos- 
fon harbor. You all know the excitement which fol- 
lowed this daring act. The presence of the British 
troops in Boston serves only to aggravate, not at all to 
overawe, the people, determined as they are to submit 
no longer to misrule and oppression. The very air is 
filled with alarm and excitement. 

On the morning of the fifth of April, 1775, a suspici- 
ous looking countryman, dressed in a grey coat, leather 
breeches and blue mixed stockings, with a silk handker- 
chief around his neck, and a small bundle in a coarse 
checked handkerchief in one hand and a walking stick 
in the other, is observed stopping in his journey at the 
tavern on the top of the hill in Waltham, just west of the 
Plains, and asking for work. In answer to the land- 
lord's questions, he says he is from the eastward and is 
looking for work at gunsmithing, as this is his trade. 
The landlord directs him to Springfield, where gun- 
smiths are in great demand. The stranger, after taking 
a drink of New England rum and molasses, and receiv- 
ing the good wishes of the landlord for his success in 
finding employment, starts out from the tavern and con- 
tinues his journey over the road toward Stony Brook. 
On his arrival here he stops and examines the brook up 
and down, till he is discovered by the old negro, who is 



30 

out setting his traps, and who asks him what he is doing 
here. The traveller says he is looking for some sweet 
flag-root. The negro gives him some, and the man then 
crosses the brook, walks along the road till he arrives at 
Joel Smith's tavern, opposite the Weston meeting-house, 
where he stops, and inquires of two teamsters in the yard 
if they know of any one who wants to hire. They being 
a little suspicious, say they know of no one who wants 
to hire an Englishman (for perhaps he may be such an 
one). He, however, nothing abashed, goes into the 
tavern, gets another drink of rum and molasses, and 
then saunters slowly off and soon reaches the tavern of 
the Golden Ball. He inquires for Captain Josiah 
Jones, the keeper of the tavern, who is a royalist, and 
on that account looked upon with suspicion and con- 
tempt by his neighbors. 

On meeting Captain Jones the stranger reveals his 
true character, and says he is John Howe, a spy employed 
by General Gage at Boston to go as far as Worcester 
for the purpose of examining the roads, bridges and 
fording places, and of finding out the state of feeling of 
the people along the route, preparatory to sending a 
force to destroy the store of goods collected at that place. 
He presents letters from the general to assure Captain 
Jones of his identity, and he is then entertained and 
cared for at the tavern. After dinner Captain Jones 
tells him that it will not be safe for him to remain over 
night, as he would be mobbed if his neighbors should 
happen to learn of his arrival and stay here. On 
account of this information, after getting as many parti- 
culars of the situation of affairs in the neighborhood as 
possible, John Howe starts off, with the hired man as a 
guide, and puts up for the night at Mr. Wheaton's, 



31 

another royalist, in a remote part of the town. It was 
lucky for him that he left the tavern of the Golden Ball 
as he did, for that night a mob of thirty persons or more 
came and insisted upon searching the house, as the report 
had got abroad that there was a spy concealed there. 

The next day IIoAve renews his journey, and keeps 
on till he arrives at Worcester. At this place he stays 
a short time, getting useful information. He then re- 
traces his steps part way, and after barely escaping 
capture, branches off and brings up in Concord. He 
stays here a few days, working at gunsmithing and 
learning what he can ; then he travels through Lexing- 
ton and Charlestown to Boston, where he meets Gen- 
eral Gage in King street, and gives him the result of 
his observations. It may be that the information con- 
veyed by John Howe caused the British commander to 
change his mind and send troops to Concord instead of 
to Worcester, on which latter place he evidently had 
his attention. 

On the morning of nineteenth April, 1775, the 
regulars are on the march for Concord, and the people 
alon": the route, aroused bv tlie words of warninoj of Paul 
Revere, rush hither and thither, spreading the alarming 
news. A young man knocks at Parson Woodwards door 
and says, " The British are coming." The Parson sends 
his wife and family into the woods and prepares for 
defence. 

Captain Samuel Lamson hastily forms his company 
from those who offer themselves for this emergency, 
among whom is Mr. AVoodward, who shows by this 
act that he means now to put his preaching into practice. 

It turns out, however, that there is a mistake : the 
regulars have taken the Lexington instead of the Water- 



32 



town road, and their destination is Concord, not Wor- 
cester. 

Tliis company then starts for Concord, and does good 
service in following the retreating regulars as far as 
West Cambridge. These men were in the service from 
one to four days, and they travelled thirty-four miles. 

I will give you here the muster-roll of the company, 
the reading of which sounds so much like calling over 
our check list of to-day, as many of the names so fami- 
liar to us are still borne by the present descendants of 
these revolutionary heroes. 

" A muster roll of Capt. Sam'l Lamson's Militia 
Company and others who march'd from Weston under 
his command on or after ye 19th April, 1775, for the 
Defence of the Colony against the Ministerial Forces." 
(Lexington Alarms, vol. 12, page 170.) 



Lengib of service. 

Captain. 
Sam'l Lamson, 3 days. 

Lieutenants. 

Jona Fiske, '" 

Math'w Hobbs, " 

Sergeants. 

Josiah Stcadman, " 

Josiah .Severnes, " 

John AVright, " 

Abr'm Hews, " 

Coi'porals. 

Abijh Stcadman, " 

Simeon Smith, " 

Drummer. 

Sam'l Nutting, " 

Privates. 

Nathan Ilagar, " 

Jona Stratton, " 

Isaah IJulhiiil. •' 

Jolin Allen, Junr., " 

John Warren, Junr., " 

Jona Warren, " 

Will'm Hobart, " 

Micah Warren, " 

John Frost, " 

Abijh Warren, " 

Isaac Flagg, " 

Isaac Walker, " 

Isaac Cory, " 

Jamts Jones, " 

Amos Jones, " 

David Saunderson, ■' 

Abr'm Harrington, " 

John Walker, Junr., '* 



Length 

Oliver Curtis, .3 

Josiah Cory, 
Reuben Hobbs, 
Ihomas Hand, 
Thomas Rand, Junr., 
IJenja Rand, 
Beiija Pi'irce, 
David Fuller, 
Sam'l Cliihl, 
D.tvid I>ivermore, 
Jonas Harrington, .M, 
Jacob I'armcnter, 
Tlionias Cory, 
Ro?;er Biglow, 
Ellj'h Kingsberry, 
Jonas Underwood, 
Convers IJiglow, 
Will; Biglow, 
John Stimpson, 
Thorn's Williams, 
Increas Leadbetter, 
Elisha Stratton, 
Isaac Hobbs, 
Henj. Hancroft, 
Dan'l Twitchell, 
Will. Bond, Junr., 
Jolin Hint. 
John Norcross, 
AVilliam Gary, 
.John Bemis, 
Dan'l Lawrence, 
• led'h Hemis, 
Lem'l stimpson, 
Benj. IJuilIey. 
Will. Lawrence, 
Nath'n Parkhurst, 
Sam'l Underwood, 
Eben Brackett, 



of serv 

days. 



Length of service. 



Sam'l Fi.'ike, 
Elias Biglow, 
Will'm Whitney, 
Abr'm Sanderson, 
Sam'l Train, Junr., 
Josiah Allen, .Junr. 
Dan'l Benjamin, 
Joseph Whitney, 
Jos'li Steadman, 
Jonas Peirce. 
Nath'n Bovnton, 
Eben Phillips, 
.Tod'h Wheeler, 
Benj. Peirce, 
John I'eircc, 
Will'm Jones, 
John Gould, 
John Lamson, 
Sol'n Jones, 
Phin's Ilagar, 
Paul Cooledge, 
Sam'l Taylor, 
Jos'li Lovewell, 
Peter Gary, 
Thad Fuller, 
Jos. I'eirce, 
Sam'l Woodward, 
Elij'h Allen, 
llezek Wyman, 
Eben'r Steadman, 
Will'm Bond, 
Joel Smith, 
Jos. Jenerson, 
Moses Peirce, 
Daniel Bemas, 
Dan'l Stratton, 
Amos Parkhurst, 



.3 days. 
4 days. 
2 days. 



1 day. 



33 

June 18, 1776, the town voted " to give their 
representative instructions to use his influence for the 
Independence on Great Brittain if the Honorable Con- 
gress think it best for the interest of the Colonies," 

And then you will find on our records, written in a 
clear, bold hand, the Declaration of Independence, 
which shows that Weston endorsed its sentiments and 
was willing to abide the result of the struggle. 

Samuel Lamson became Major of the Middlesex 
Regiment, under the command of Colonel Eleazer 
Brooks, of Lincoln. To this regiment was attached the 
Weston Company, under the immediate command of 
Jonathan Fiske as Captain, having been promoted from 
Lieutenant. It was in the service at Dorchester 
Heights. 

The Weston Company was at White Plains, Ticon- 
dcroga, Crown Point, and other places. During some 
of the time while in the service Matthew Hobbs was 
Captain of the Company, with two Livermores as Lieu- 
tenants ; and the Company was probably in the service 
till the close of the war. 

General Washington is said to have passed through 
our town on his way to take command of the army, at 
Cambridge. He was here again after the close of the 
war, in 1788, and stopped to dine at John Flagg's tav- 
ern. Several of our leading townsmen called on him 
there ; amonsr whom was Colonel Thomas Marshall of 
revolutionary fame, who had purchased and was then 
living on the estate now owned and occupied by General 
Charles J. Paine. 

It is said that General Burgoyne with his army, after 
their surrender, and on their way to Cambridge, en- 
camped one night along the old stage road in Weston. 



34 



General Burgoyne had with him at the time of his sur- 
render about thirty-five hundred men. Their march to 
Cambridge is described as a very severe and tedious one 
for his soldiers, who were, to a great extent, without 
shoes, and footsore. 

The roll of the Weston Company in the service at 
Dorchester Heights is as follows: 

" A Muster Eoll of the Comp*" Militia of Weston, 
under the command of Capt. Jonathan Fiske, in Coll. 
Brooks' Eegiment, who were called into publick service 
Mar. 4, 1776, at ye Hights of Dorcester." (Mass. 
Eev. Rolls, vol. 19, page 88.) 



Jonathan Fisk, 


Capt. 


John Allen, Junr , Privfi 


Samuel Fisk, 


Sarjeant. 


James Hastings, " 


Isaiah Seaverns, 


11 


Joseph Steadman, " 


Abijah Stedmau, 


Corporal. 


John Warren, Junr., " 


Simeon Smith, 


;( 


Mich'l Warren, " 


Abijah Seaverns, 


Fifer, 


Jona. Warren, " 


Isaac Cory, 


Private. 


Tho's Russell, Junr., " 


WiU'm Bond, 


(( 


Benj. Stimpson, " 


Benj. Dudley, 


u 


David Stedman, " 


Isaac Walker, 


a 


Benj. Peirce, Junr., " 


Uriah Grigory, 


ii 


Reuben Hobbs, " 


Solomon Jones, 


a 


Silas Livermorc, " 


Edward Peirce, 


u 


Samuel Underwood, " 


Nathan Ilager, 


(( 


Benjamin Rand, " 


Jona. Stratton, Juur., " 


John Wright, " 


Isaac Flagg, 




John Stimpson, " 


Ebenezer Steadman 




Lemuel Stimpson, " 


Nathaniel Howard, 




John Peirce, " 


Joshua Peirce, 




Thorn's Williams, 


Thaddeus Fuller, 




Abel Flint, " 


Abram Harrington, 




John Ilager, " 


James Cogswell, 




William Hobbs, " 


Joshua Jannison, 




Thomas Rand, Jr., " 


Elijah Kingsbury, 




Jonas Underwood, " 


Benj a. Upham, 




Joseph Russell, " 


Sam"l Pratt, 







They all travelled 28 miles and served 5 days, except Abijah 
Seaverns and Joseph Russell, who each served 2 days. 



35 

October 15, 1778, the town voted to instruct Mr. 
Joseph Roberts, the representative, to use his best en- 
deavors in the Great and General Court to have such 
laws made as may " prevent ye return of any of those 
persons into this Town or State w4io have sought and 
received protection from the British army." 

May 24:, 1779, Joseph Roberts and John Allen w'ere 
chosen delegates to attend the Convention, for the sole 
purpose of forming a new Constitution or form of Gov- 
ernment; and it w-as voted " that the delegates transmit a 
printed copy of the form of Government they shall 
agree upon, to be laid before the Town, for their appro- 
bation or disapprobation." 

In 1787 a military organization in Weston was char- 
tered under the name of the Company of Light Infan- 
try in Weston, which, under this and the successive 
names of Independent Weston Company and Weston 
Independent Light Infantry, continued till May 13, 
1831, a period of almost half a century, when it Avas 
disbanded. It was attached to no regiment ; reporting 
only to the Commander of the Brigade. 

Abraham Bigelow was the first Captain, and his 
successors, from time to time, were : 

Artemus Ward, Jr. Isaac Childs, 

Wm. Ilobbs, Isaac Train, 

Alplieus Bi-^clow, Charles Stratton, 

Katliau Fiske, Henrj'- Hobbs, 

Josiali Hastings, Luther Ilerrington, 

Isaac Hobbs, Marshall Jones, 

Thomas Bigelow, Sewall Fiske, 

Nathan Upham, Elmore Russell. 

It was chartered about the time of Shay's rebellion ; 
but I do not find that it was called into active service 
at that time. 

In the war of 1812 this company sent a detachment 



36 

to guard the powder-house at Cambridge ; some of the 
names of those who did this duty are as follows : 

Sewell Fiske, William Bigelow, 

Nathan Wavrcn, Henry Stratton, 

Nehcmiah Warren, Jacob Sanderson, 

Jesse Viles, Morse, 

Charles Bemis, David Viles. 

There were others belonging to Weston who served 
in this war, some of whom are as follows : 

Major Daniel Lamson, Deacon Isaac Jones, 

Charles Daggett, Cooper Gaffield. 

William Harrington, 

Cooper Gaffield lived to be over one hundred years 
old ; he died December 31, 1875, having spent the last 
thirty-six years of his life in our poor-house, where, the 
town records show, he was sent, so long ago, for old age 
and infirmity. 

The Weston Independent Light Infantry, under 
Captain Sewell Fiske, attended the reception, fifty years 
ago, given to General LaFayette at Concord ; and was 
especially noticed by him. 

I have now related some of the principal events in 
the early history of our town ; and I hope, in so doing, 
I have convinced you that Weston has done its part, 
and is entitled to a good share of credit in the formation 
and preservation of the peculiar traits of New England 
life and character. 

The time will not allow me to continue my story and 
speak of its part in the late war of the Rebellion. This 
has been recently and ably done in this hall by another,* 
more experienced, whose voice has been heard here 
for almost half a century, and always with respect 
and attention. 

*Mr. Edwin Hobbs. 



37 

Suffice it for me to say, that it was almost always 
the descendants of our early settlers, and of those who 
fought in the Revolution, who so recently went forth at 
their country's call, offering themselves a willing sacri- 
fice on her altar, and who fought, bled and died to 
preserve, maintain and transmit to posterity the precious 
privileges and institutions, the establishment of which 
cost their ancestors so much blood and treasure. 

On comparing the muster-rolls of the two periods, 
the Eevolution and the Eebellion, you will frequently 
find the same family names on both ; the grandson now 
standing where his grandfather then stood, battling for 
the right, showing the same old appreciation of truth 
nnd honor, and convincing us that the old stock of in- 
tegrity and virtue has not yet given out, or become con- 
taminated and corrupt. The battles have been fought, 
and the victories won ; and the country is still one 
united whole, enjoying rest and peace. 

But what is it that makes us to-day dissatisfied with 
the condition of our national affairs 1 

The fault is in ourselves ; that we have not been 
careful of the precious legacy from those who have in 
every age risked life and limb in its behalf and for its 
safety. AVc have allowed our standard of moral right 
to be lowered, and we have offered our conscience in 
the public market-place. 

Yet we must not despair : the remedy is with us, 
and we must remove every stain from our national 
honor if we wish to feel secure. 

The shaft erected to the memory of the good deeds 
of the men of all times still stands erect, yet unfinished, 
waiting for us to add our strength towards its comple- 
tion and progress to the Heavens. It may be long, but 



38 

the time will surely come, when the spirit which actu- 
ated our fathers and brothers will animate us, and we 
shall then repair and restore what we have suffered to 
fall into waste and decay. We should be up and do- 
ing, and at once set to work to remedy the evil. 

Let us see to it that at our hands the llepublic suffers 
no harm, by our stern regard to duty, truth and honor, 
by taking up again the noble examples set us so forcibly 
in the early and later periods, and use and improve the 
same, so that our children's children, in reviewing the 
history of our times, may rejoice to see the talents given 
into our keeping not laid up in a napkin, but used and 
increased ten fold. 

Let us, therefore, to-day embark upon the ship of 
state on our new voyage with a firm and resolute pur- 
pose to do our duty, and set sail with our flag nailed to 
the mast-head, and with the motto on the flag, written 
in letters of gold, not alone of " Liberty and Union," 
but Liberty, Union, and Honesty — " One and insepar- 
able — Now and forever." 






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